Larvae in relation to horses refers to the immature stages of various parasitic organisms that can infect equine hosts. These larvae can originate from different species of internal and external parasites, such as gastrointestinal nematodes and bots. The presence and development of larvae in horses can lead to various health issues, including digestive disturbances, weight loss, and colic. Common parasitic larvae affecting horses include those of Strongylus vulgaris, Parascaris equorum, and Gasterophilus spp. Understanding the life cycle, transmission, and impact of these larvae is essential for effective parasite management and control in equine populations. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the biology, pathology, and management strategies related to larval parasitism in horses.
DE SALES JF, JANSEN J.Xenodiagnosis for habronemosis was 96,6% positive in 87 stud horses at Instituto Oswaldo Cuz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July-November, 1944. The A A. were unable to identify the Habronema larvae obtained from parasitider fly maggots. Measurements and drawings of the larvae are presented.
Jia H, Tang L, Fu Y, Xiong Y, Yan L, Shao C, Li K, Zhang D, Hu D.Petrovinema skrjabini (Nematoda: Strongylidae, Cyathostominae) is a parasitic nematode colonizing the cecum and colon of equids. Like other cyathostomins, its larvae (L3) invade the intestinal mucosa, forming encysted nodules that may remain dormant for years. Mass larval emergence triggers larval cyathostominosis-a severe syndrome characterized by hemorrhagic typhlocolitis and diarrhea, with mortality rates exceeding 50%. However, owing to the morphological indistinguishability of cyathostomin and frequent mixed infections in natural settings, species-specific contributions to pathogenesis re...
Ferreira I, Pinto JG, Oliveira EGL, Azevedo MCBS, Marcolino LMC, Ferreira-Strixino J.Habronema muscae is a parasitic nematode that causes habronemiasis in horses, leading to chronic skin lesions. The parasite is transmitted via flies, and larvae deposited in wounds result in difficult-to-heal "summer sores". This case study involved treating a 9-year-old gelding male horse with recurrent habronemiasis using photodynamic therapy (PDT) concurrent with conventional treatments. The horse presented with ulcerated, exudative wounds on its limbs and face, unresponsive to traditional treatments. PDT was applied over six months, using methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer, combined ...
Dos Santos TS, Dillmann JB, Giovelli M, Elias GO, Lima RK, Cescon S, Stainki DR, Dos Santos RC, Corrêa C, Monteiro SG.This study reports the successful use of maggot therapy in four horses with traumatic wounds caused by wire fences, treated in veterinary clinics and under field conditions in southern Brazil. All lesions showed tissue necrosis, purulent discharge, and foul odor, indicating infection and delayed healing. Sterile Lucilia cuprina larvae (L1 stage) were applied directly to the wounds for 48 hours. Rapid improvement was observed, with marked reduction of necrotic tissue, exudate, and odor, and stimulation of granulation tissue in three cases. Complete wound closure occurred between 10 and 60 days ...
Healy SR, Yaffy D, Miller HG.Setaria equina is a species of filarial nematode parasite transmitted by mosquitoes, which infects horses and other equids. Adult worms reside in the abdominal cavity with apparently little pathogenic significance, but larvae can migrate to other regions of the body with resulting clinical disease. Cases in the UK are rare, with the last published report in 2001. A recent case of S. equina infection was detected in a 13-year-old, UK-resident mare during postmortem examination in Hertfordshire, UK. Adult worms were collected from the abdominal cavity, their DNA extracted and subjected to PCR an...
Castillo JDCR, Forte L, Elghandour MMMY, Maggiolino A, De Palo P, Ponce-Covarrubias JL, Salem AZM.Parasitic infections remain a major constraint to equine health and performance, and the worldwide rise of anthelmintic resistance is forcing a shift toward integrated parasite management and new complementary tools. Caesalpinia coriaria (Divi-divi) pods are exceptionally rich in tannins and have been proposed as a potential source of antiparasitic phytochemicals. This review summarizes the current evidence on C. coriaria, focusing on its relevance to equine gastrointestinal helminths. Most available data come from in vitro screening against ruminant nematode models (mainly Haemonchus contortu...
Díaz-Alvarado T, Alcala-Canto Y, Elghandour MMMY, Salem MZM, Mariezcurrena-Berasain MD, Salem AZM.Gastrointestinal endoparasitic diseases, particularly those caused by some strongyles, represent one of the main health challenges in equine production. The prolonged use of synthetic anthelmintics has led to the development of resistance, which has prompted the search for more sustainable therapeutic alternatives. However, plant extracts rich in secondary metabolites are emerging as a promising option. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anthelmintic activity of aqueous extracts and bioactive compounds (total phenols and saponins) from Azadirachta indica and Cn...
Zhang C, Cai E, Ma Y, Zhong G, Gao Y, Wu Y, Liu B, Li J.This study investigated the cyathostomin species composition, anthelmintic efficacy, and potential resistance-associated mutations in Chinese grazing horses. Fecal samples were collected from 90 adult horses. Fecal egg counts (FECs) were determined using a modified McMaster method. Third stage larvae (L3) cultured from the eggs were identified to species level by PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer-2 (ITS-2). The main species included and spp. However, differences in the relative abundance of less common species, including and , suggests regional variation. A...
Dillmann JB, Dos Santos TS, Dos Santos RC, Monteiro SG.Equine cutaneous pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is a severe disease in tropical and subtropical regions, often leading to progressive granulomatous lesions with poor response to conventional therapies. Standard treatment includes surgical excision and immunotherapy, but recurrence is common, particularly in distal limb lesions. Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT) with disinfected Lucilia cuprina larvae provides selective debridement, microbial control, and stimulation of granulation, representing a potential adjunctive option. This report describes the successful use of MDT combined wit...
Jamshidpour R, Nabavi R, Moadab H, Rezaie F, Chale AC, Sargison N.Resistance to benzimidazole (BZ) by cyathostomin nematodes has become a major threat to equine health around the world. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BZ drugs against small strongyle nematodes in horses of western Iran using coprological and molecular examination. Unassigned: Faecal egg count reduction tests were performed on 398 horses kept in 16 stables in western Iran (Kermanshah Province), to detect benzimidazole resistance in small strongyle nematodes. Allele-specific PCR was used to identify the F200Y (TAC/TTC) SNP in the beta-tubulin gene codon in cyathostomin larvae. Unassigned:...
da Silva Rocha MB, Avelar BR, Martins Dos Santos GC, Ferreira TP, de Sousa Vieira T, de Oliveira GF, Gomes BT, Klafke GM, Correia TR, Cid YP, Scott FB.The objective of this study was to standardize a stall-trial methodology for horses in order to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of a 1 % fipronil pour-on formulation against Dermacentor nitens. Brazilian pony breed horses were housed in individual stalls within a covered barn and artificially infested with D. nitens larvae on alternate days from day -31 to -1 before treatment. The animals were treated on day 0 with a fipronil 1 % pour-on at a dose of 1 mg/Kg body weight. To determine the therapeutic efficacy, the number of engorged females naturally detached from control and t...
Tramboo SR, Shahardar RA, Allaie IM, Bulbul KH.Benzimidazole (BZ) anthelmintics have been used indiscriminately in equids to control nematode infections throughout the world including India and has led to the development of BZ resistance. In order to determine the current status of BZ resistance in equids of Kashmir against intestinal strongyles (IS), the present study was conducted using faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) and Allele specific PCR (AS-PCR). The study was conducted on ponies from three major tourist destinations of Kashmir viz; Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in accordance with the WAAVP guidelines. The animals which wer...
Getahun YA, Tsalke BS, Buzuneh AW, Mejo MM, Habtewold WT.Equines are indispensable in reducing the huge burden on children and women and income generation. On the other hand, minimal attention is given to improving their health and welfare. Objective: This study examined the prevalence and associated risk factors of helminth parasites of equine in the Gamo Gofa Zone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed from June 2019 to March 2020. The study districts and were selected purposively based on agroecology whereas selection of study households and animals were performed based on simple random sampling techniques. Identification of nematode, tr...
